Wine

Roots run deep in Tri-Valley; one of California's oldest wine regions

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:26:04 -0800

Livermore Valley Wine Country is home to more than 50 wineries.

Wineries range from small family-owned operations to historic leaders of the California wine industry. You can enjoy handcrafted wines in an intimate, authentic setting in Livermore Valley.

The difference. Unlike other wine regions, with long lines, large crowds, and expensive tasting room fees, most of our wineries still offer a complimentary tasting and a homespun atmosphere. We warmly welcome wine enthusiasts and novices alike. The neighborly ambience of our tasting rooms will never make you feel like a tourist. We treat our guests like old friends, creating a one-of-a-kind experience. Meet the winemaker, get a private tour, barrel taste, and get a firsthand account of the wine-making process.

The experience. There are several types of wine-tasting experiences in Livermore Valley wine country, from tasting rooms in downtown to no-frills country wineries and historic tasting rooms. Downtown Livermore's Blacksmith Square has several tasting rooms offering local wines, with restaurants and shopping nearby. Taste in an old barn while the winery owner's dog naps at your feet. Picnic in the countryside at a winery where the owners greet every visitor personally. Sip wine on the lawn, and play a relaxing game of bocce ball. For an upscale experience, with a touch of history, celebrate over 125 years with Concannon Vineyard and Wente Vineyards. Hungry for more? Livermore offers everything from picnic fixings to award-winning fine dining at several wineries throughout the region.

Art, Food & Wine Experience at Kenwood Vineyards

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:17:11 -0800

Appreciate the premier marriage of art and wine at Kenwood Vineyards with their Artist Collection Series.

Every weekend, visitors will have an opportunity to view original art pieces from the collection that began with the controversial 1975, "Naked Lady" by David Lance Goines. With every new vintage, a new piece of art is featured making each bottle a true collectable.

Sip exceptional wines including the Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignons and nosh on gourmet appetizers perfectly paired to bring out the best characteristics of the wine.

More Details

Date: Every *Saturday & Sunday*
Time: 1pm - 3pm
Place: Kenwood Vineyards
Price: $30/person or $25/ wine club members
RSVP Required: For reservations, please call 707-282-4228. Reservations are required 72 hours in advance.

Arts in April: Beaulieu Vineyard

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:15:02 -0800

Appreciate the Arts in the Napa Valley throughout the month of April.

Beaulieu Vineyards, located in the heart of Napa Valley in Rutherford, will play host to the original wine paintings of local artist Penelope Moore whose work will be on display starting April 1st in BV's Maestro Tasting Room and Club Room.

On Sunday, April 14th from 1:00-4:00pm, join other guests and enjoy a wonderful fusion of art and wine, live music, and afternoon hor d'oeuvres. Each of Penelope's paintings will be paired with a sinfully selected bottle of BV juice. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on each pairing. The lucky winner will have a sensory experience to take home. Tickets are only $15 per person or complimentary to club members.

But you don't have to wait until April 14th to start bidding!

Bid In Person: Visit Beaulieu Vineyards anytime starting April 1st - April 14th. Just mention "Arts in April" to receive two Maestro Tastings for the price of one to enjoy while you view and bid on the art.

Bid Online: A selection of five paintings will be available to preview and bid online at www.facebook.com/penelope. Bid on the painting by leaving a comment under the corresponding painting with the amount, your name and phone number. Online Auction closes on Sunday, April 14th at 4:00 pm PST. "Buy it Now" bids win. Visa, MC, AMEX, PayPal accepted.

Partake by KJ : Now Open in Healdsburg

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:56:25 -0800

Kendall Jackson Winery is upping the ante of your tasting experience with it's very own wine tasting lounge, Partake, is now open!

Partake is located in the ever popular and trendy town of Healdsburg, right off the square, and will specialize in wine flights and seasonal bites that showcase the diversity of flavors in Sonoma County. Imagine an array of estate grown olive oils, organic vegetables, fruits & herbs, artisan cheeses, and sustainably raised meats - each dish artfully inspired to pair with the vast collection of Kendall Jackson wines.

Pawsport Napa Valley

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:16:44 -0800

Napa Valley Wine Tasting Event that is Dog Friendly!

No need to leave your dog at home when going wine tasting! Pawsport Napa Valley is a fabulous annual dog-friendly, passport-style wine tasting event in Napa Valley. This year the event is March 22-25th and features exclusive tastings at 20 Napa Valley dog-friendly wineries, food pairings, discounts on wine purchases, souvenirs for guests and their pups, drawings, dog treats, meet-and-greets with the winery dogs and winemakers, and so much more!

Pawsports are only $75 per person for four days of exceptional wine tasting in the beautiful Napa Valley. Your ticket includes one complimentary wine tasting and a discount on wine purchases at each winery. Additional specials and activities vary from winery to winery. Already sold on coming!? Click Here to buy event tickets.

NEW THIS YEAR! From discounts to special dishes, a selection of Napa Valley restaurants and lodging partners are offering "Pawsport Perks" to attendees during the four-day event, including special lodging packages at these dog-friendly hotels: Harvest Inn and Westin Verasa Napa.

This year's participating Napa Valley wineries include: B Cellars, Bennett Lane Winery, Ca' Momi, Chateau Boswell, Clos du Val, Cornerstone Cellars, Franciscan Estate Winery, Grgich Hills Estate, HALL St. Helena, Jessup Cellars, Lava Vine Winery, Madonna Estate, Mumm Napa, Peju Family Winery, Pine Ridge Vineyards, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, Trefethen Family Vineyards, V. Sattui Winery.

Visit www.napahumane.org/PawsportNV for more details!

Pinot & Mushroom Weekend at Chateau St. Jean

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:57:07 -0800

No need to forage for mushrooms on your own this season. Join local Sonoma County mushroom experts at Chateau St. Jean February 23rd and 24th for a weekend of discovery with perfect pairings of fine St. Jean Pinot Noir and artisanal mushrooms. This special event will feature special wine and mushroom flights, a bountiful, mushroom-centric marketplace, informative lectures on fabulous fungi, an incredible Station-to-Station tasting experience, and a sumptuous Earthly Wonders luncheon, all which will leave you with a renowned sense of awe for the so-called simple mushroom and Pinot Noir. See more details below!

Treat Your Sweetheart!

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:44:20 -0800

Napa Valley wineries - Sterling Vineyards and Cliff Family Winery - have you covered for Valentine's Day this year. See their sweet line-up of wine gifts perfect for that special someone in your life!

Sterling Vineyards
Give your loved one the very best with two of Sterling Vineyard's premium Reserve wines! The buttery 2009 Reserve Chardonnay is the perfect companion for heart-warming wintertime comfort foods. Or try the 2009 Platinum Reserve, which scored a superb 92 points from the Wine Enthusiast for its expertly balanced boldness. Complete with a lovely red gift box and personalized message, these extravagant wines will make the perfect gift this Valentine's Day! Shipping deadlines are fast approaching so put in your order as soon as possible! (East Coast Orders - Feb 3rd, West Coast Orders - Feb 7th) ORDER NOW

Visiting Napa Valley for Valentine's Day/Weekend? Enjoy excellent wines and amazing views at Sterling Vineyards! Indulge in complimentary hand-crafted chocolates paired with our delectable port-style Zinfandel available at the winery on February 9th, 10th, and 14th. Learn More.

Chandon for New Year's Eve Toast!

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 14:16:23 -0800

If you can't attend Domaine Chandon's Sparkling Gala this year for New Year's Eve, not to fret; check out their recommendations for hosting a Chandon-style soiree at home!

1. Start the night a Chandon Sidecar: Begin with this brandy-based, citrus-infused cocktail classic, made distinctive with some sparkling flourishes and sure to please your guests. Click here for recipe.

2. Every good party needs a soundtrack, so try creating a playlist of your favorite songs from the past year. It'll infuse the celebration with your unique personality and is a nostalgic, toe-tapping way to send off the year.

3. Make it a magnum: Always a popular option to keep the bubbles flowing on New Year's Eve, a magnum of Chandon Brut Classic is both economically and conversationally effective. One magnum equals two regular-sized (750ml) bottles of wine.

CLICK HERE for more creative pointers for hosting a successful New Year's Eve party!

Don't forget to relax and enjoy your guests, look forward to what the new year may hold and don't forget the midnight kiss!

House Party! at Chateau Montelena Winery

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 12:28:06 -0800

Have full run of the Chateau with your friends this coming January 26th at Chateau Montelena Winery when they host their annual House Party. This year's theme is Fire and Ice and will feature one fantastic night of dancing, find food, and of course, wine!

The menu includes an array of culinary delights served at tempting temperatures paired with Montelena classics, special wines from the library collection, and even a few limited-production winery-only wines. AND! back by popular demand is hit band "Wonderbread 5" for an encore performance in the cellar.

Snap up these tickets as soon as you can!

What: Chateau Montelena House Party!
Where: Chateau Montelena Winery ~ 1429 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515
When: January 26, 2012 ~ 6pm -10pm
Tickets: $65-$95
More Details: CLICK HERE!

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About Chateau Montelena Winery
Founded in 1882 by Alfred Tubbs, Chateau Montelena Winery is currently owned and operated by the Barrett family, who purchased the property in 1972. Perhaps best known for the 1976 Paris Tasting when the little-known American winery triumphed over the French in a blind tasting, the winery is currently recognized for producing world-class wines with the Barrett family still at the helm.

TastingRoom.com: It's Vino Nirvana

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:54:35 -0800

If you enjoy the finer things in life (and who doesn't?), then you'll love this innovative new way to enjoy fine wine. TastingRoom.com takes the risk out of online wine purchasing by allowing you to try before you buy. Whether it's by the taste, by the glass or by the bottle, we let you enjoy wine the way you want it.

Our Wine Samplers let you line 'em up, six great wines side by side, and you're the judge and the jury. Each Sampler consists of six tastes (50ml) of different wines based on varietal, region or food pairing ability. Pick your favorite wines from each Sampler and then go online to order full-sized bottles of them to drink now or store for future consumption.

Our Super Flights™ take the Wine Sampler one step further: you or your giftee can sample six wines and then pick the top two to be delivered to their doorstep at no extra cost. It's that easy.

But what if you don't want to open a full bottle? Say it's a Tuesday night, you're home alone and you want just one glass of wine (we've all been there, right?). Our innovative Wines by the Glass allow you to enjoy a single glass of wine whenever you like. Mix and match multiple Wines by the Glass and order by the 6-pack or by the case. Either way, you get great taste and no waste. Genius.

If you want to give a gift that keeps on giving, give a membership to our Wine Club, so your gift recipient can discover wines they love on a regular basis. It's the only club that lets you choose the wines you receive, so you're sure to get something you love every time. It's waaaay better than a book club.

TastingRoom.com takes the whining out of wine shopping. No more battling the crowds at your local liquor shop or asking for help from uneducated staff. In our Wine Shop, you get to choose from hundreds of wines by producers from all of the major winegrowing regions in the world. That's what we call vino Nirvana.

* Must be 21 or older to make a purchase.

Holiday Greetings from Flora Springs Winery

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:59:57 -0800

Flora Springs Winery has created a whimsical twist on the "Twas the night before. . ." starring third generation family member, Nat Komes. Watch the video below:

In celebration of the holidays, Flora Springs Winery is offering a special price on case purchases of their 2009 Trilogy (their flagship wine), that includes shipping*. Offer ends December 31, 2012.

2009 Trilogy Holiday Case Special

Retail Price: $900/Case ($75/Bottle)
Special Price: $576/Case ($48/Bottle)

+ shipping included!

CLICK HERE to buy now!

Merlot Masters the Thanksgiving Wine Challenge

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 12:51:32 -0800

Thanksgiving is almost here and with it the challenge of selecting a wine to go with the Thanksgiving feast. So what red wine will complement the turkey, the stuffing, the cranberry sauce and the other traditional Thanksgiving dishes? The surprising answer is Merlot.

Merlot's character and style pair deliciously with most Thanksgiving dishes. Generous fruit and modest structure enable Merlot to match the flavor of the turkey without overwhelming it, as powerful reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah do, or being overwhelmed by it, as often happens with delicate reds like Pinot Noir. The fresh, ripe raspberry and black cherry fruit of Merlot echoes cranberry sauce's bright fruit, and the smooth style of Merlot works well with both turkey stuffing and Thanksgiving side dishes.

Sonoma County produces outstanding Merlots and Kenwood Vineyards Merlots combine Sonoma County quality, fine value and ready availability. The Kenwood Vineyards Sonoma County Merlot's forward fruit and polished texture make it ideal for Thanksgiving. For those who prefer a Merlot with a bit more concentration and structure, the Kenwood Vineyards Jack London Vineyard Merlot - from the famed author's Beauty Ranch overlooking Sonoma Valley - would be a tasty Thanksgiving choice.

As one would expect of a winery with wines worthy of Thanksgiving, Kenwood Vineyards also knows about Thanksgiving foods. Kenwood Vineyards Chef Robin Lehnhoff-McCray suggests this flavorful Thanksgiving side dish to accompany the turkey.

Wrapping Up Harvest & Crush Season Around Wine Country

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:34:25 -0800

Benziger Family Winery - Sonoma County, CA
Mark it on your calendar, 2012 was a phenomenal growing season...and you know what that means? Phenomenal wines. We promise you, although you won't have to wait too long for the whites, the reds will be well worth the wait.

Rutherford Hill Winery - Napa Valley, CA

Kamen Wines: New Tasting Room!

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:41:35 -0800

It was with much excitement that Kamen Wines opened a tasting room to showcase their wonderful wines to the public earlier this summer. With harvest and crush festivities abounding in wine country right now, now's the perfect time to visit Sonoma County and stop by Kamen's new tasting room!

The Kamen Estate Wines Tasting Room is located in the historic downtown square of Sonoma and is is open to the public daily. Tasting fees depend on the wine flight selected. See below for more details.

Signature Flight: A perfect way to enjoy the varietals in the Kamen Estate Wines portfolio, a rotating selection of current release Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Writer's Block Blend & Cabernet Sauvignon. 20 per person. Waived with two bottle purchase.

Premier Flight: For the Cabernet lover, a selection of three library vintages for a vertical comparison of our flagship varietal. $35 per person. Waived with three bottle purchase.

Vineyard Tasting: By advance appointment only, a private tour and tasting in their mountain vineyard. Guests will taste four wines complemented by artisanal cheese & charcuterie, while enjoying sweeping views of the Mayacamas Mountains and San Francisco Bay. They offer this experience once daily. Secure your reservation by credit card 48 hours in advance. 24 hour notice is Required for any alterations or cancellations. $60 per person. Allow 1 ½ - 2 hours for this visit.

To schedule your visit, call 707.938.7292 or email info@kamenwines.com.

Harvest Updates Around Wine Country: The Reds

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:04:59 -0800

Peju Winery - Napa Valley, CA
On September 27th, Peju Winery located in Napa Valley harvested their first red of the season - Syrah. Grown at their Persephone vineyard, the grape is typically picked on the earlier side and this year was no different. "We are always excited about crushing Syrah since it gives us two wines--a traditional red Syrah as well as a Rose." CLICK HERE tor read full post.

Chateau Julien Wine Estate
First grapes of the season for Chate Julien Wine Estate in Carmel, CA (Monterey Wine Country region) were delivered Friday night (Sept. 28th) with a lot of guests watching. Watch a small clip below.